October 1, 2013Dear Sir,I do not understand why Government has elected to give teachers unpaid leave throughout the year in order to cut costs and save money.I cannot stress how important education is, especially in this day and age where there are so many children on the streets, sitting on walls and joining gangs. Please advise what I (and many other mothers/fathers/grandparents etc) are supposed to do during these random (vacation) days as trying to keep a job is a priority and as most companies do not grant more than 20 — 25 days’ vacation a year.Looking at the 2013 -2014 public & school holiday calendar, there are 30 days (public holidays not included) that parents will have to find camps, babysitters, day care etc for. This also does not include summer vacation which is so expensive!Perhaps cutting costs where our prisons are concerned, instead of with our children should be considered. Make prisoners work and earn their keep (free labour). Or simply cut back on the “comforts” they receive — TV for example. There is no cruelty in that. You do wrong, therefore you must pay for your actions. They shouldn’t be allowed to sit back with all or most of the comforts of home — comforts that most of us struggle to have or simply do not have.I do hope that government will reconsider the changes they have implemented with this regard.A Parent